What Melania Wore Unveiling New Sculpture Added To White House Rose Garden

First Lady Melania Trump unveiled new artwork by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi that has been been installed on the east terrace of the famous garden, which she renovated earlier this year.

For the unveiling, Melania was seen wearing a black cashmere crewneck sweater from Ralph Lauren paired with a giraffe printed maxi skirt from Valentino. The Valentino crepe couture skirt rendered from the label’s archival giraffe print from 1966 is a straight silhouette high waisted that falls just below the ankle length. It features a silk crepe couture lining, concealed side zip, and an inverted pleat on the back. It retails for $2,340 and is available for purchase at Thahab.com.

Melania paired the black cashmere sweater and Valentino giraffe maxi skirt with a black leather waist belt from Azzedine Alaïa. The slender corset-inspired shape belt retails for $800 and is available at MyTheresa.com.

As for footwear, Melania teamed her bold black and white ensemble with a pair of cream white flats from Roger Vivier. The Belle Vivier Graphic patent-trimmed leather flats is a square toe feature its iconic buckle detail. It retails for $895 and is available at Net-a-porter.com.

Recreate Melania’s giraffe print skirt with affordable options linked below.

Melania announced last Friday the artwork by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi has been installed on the east terrace of the Rose Garden. Noguchi’s installation, titled “Floor Frame,” will be the first piece by an Asian-American artist in the White House collection. The sculpture, according to Melania highlights “the beautiful contributions of Asian-American artists to the landscape of our country.”

Last week we unveiled Isamu Noguchi’s sculpture, "Floor Frame", the first work of art in the @WhiteHouse Collection from an Asian American artist. It will grace the iconic Rose Garden for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/mur2ZMCtlz
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) November 28, 2020

Noguchi envisaged “Floor Frame” as representing the “intersection of a tree and the ground, taking on the qualities of both an implied root system and the canopy of a tree,” according to the First Lady statement announcing the installation.

“He envisioned the sculpture placed directly on the ground” in order to reconnect viewers to the planet.

The piece was a gift from the privately funded, nonprofit historical association. Designed in 1962, and cast in black patina and bronze the next year, the sculpture is composed of rectangular blocks that appear to sink and rise from the ground.

Noguchi’s work was installed on the east terrace of the Rose Garden to complement the power symbolized by the Oval Office at the west end of the expanse.

“I am excited to announce the installation of Floor Frame to the newly restored White House Rose Garden,” Melania said. “This sculpture not only showcases diversity within our nation’s finest art but it also highlights the beautiful contributions of Asian American artists to the landscape of our country.”